Automatic sprinkler system



July 26, 1955 2,713,916

C. MUCKENFUSS AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Nov. 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Char/@5 /Wac keb/355.

A TTOPA/EK July 26, 1955 c. MUcKENFuss 2,713,916

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed NOV. 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Il a lex/WMM July 26, 1955 c. MUcKENFUss 2,713,916

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Nov.- 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VEN TOR. :|11 IE E] .4'- @aar/@5 Madre/$55.

147 7 1PA/EK July 26, 1955 c.' MUcKENFuss AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Shee'rI 4 Filed NOV. 25, 1952 1N VEN TOR. (/747/1/@5 Mac/4160776.55.

AUTFATC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Charies Muciienfuss, Lakewood, Ohio, assigner to Automatic Sprinider Corporation of America, Youngstown, (Ehio, a corporation of Delaware Appiication November 2S, 1952, Serial No. 322,399

2 Ciaims. (Cl. 169-19) This invention relates to an automatic sprinkler system which may be formed as a dry pipe or deluge sprinkler system for tire protection purposes.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sprinkler system capable of wide application to various types of structures.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sprinkler system which will require a minimum of attention and wherein the component parts of the system are so designed and arranged as to be capable of withstanding all ordinary treatment to which the system may be exposed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sprinkler system incorporating distributing piping and heat fusible sprinklers thereon and a separate actuating system paralleling said distributing piping and controlling the operation of the system and in turn controlled by the fusing of one or more of said sprinklers.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sprinkler system and automatic valve therefor so arranged as to provide positive operation in the event of tire in the area supervised by the sprinkler system and the valve so formed as to be incapable of accidental closing once the same has opened.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view illustrating the automatic sprinkler with parts broken away.

Figure 2 is an elevational view illustrating a modified form of the sprinkler system with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevationof an automatic valve shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the automatic valve illustratcd in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a front elevation with parts broken away and parts in cross section of one of the sprinklers shown in Figure l of the drawings.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the sprinkler shown in Figure 5. Section rines on Figure 6 indicate the section of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the sprinkler shown in Figures 5 and 6.

By referring to the drawings and Figure l in particular it will be seen that an automatic sprinkler system has been disclosed which includes a water supply main 10 connected with an automatic valve 11 by way of a main control valve i2. Distributing piping 13 extends from the automatic valve 11 into the area to be supervised by the automatic sprinkler system in a manner known in the art. Various portions of the distributing piping 13 are nited States Patent Cil provided with sprinklers 14 which are similar to those heretofore known in the art in that they include a frame t5 positioned about a discharge orifice normally closed with a cap 16, the cap i6 being normally retained in closed position on the discharge orifice of the sprinkler by a pair of oppositely disposed levers i7 secured to one another by a fusible link 18. The frame 15 carries a deiiector i? and the sprinkler operates, responsive to heat, by the fusing of the fusible link 1S which releases the levers 17 and permits the cap 16 to fall away from the oritice in the sprinkler 14.

In the present disclosure the sprinkler 14 is modified by the inclusion of a secondary valve structure formed in an extension 26 of the sprinkler 14 whichV extension 20, as best shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, defines a passageway 2l normally closed by a secondary cap 22. The secondary cap 22 is held in closed position on the extension 29 by an adjustable rod and sleeve assembly 23, a portion of which receives a threaded extension 24 of a bifurcated member 2S, the arms of which engage oppositely disposed pin-like projections 17A formed on the upper one of the levers 17 heretofore referred to.

By referring again to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be seen that a portion of the automatic valve 11 extends sidewardly opposite the inlet oriice thereof which the supply main 1t) communicates and forms an actuating chamber 26, as best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. The actuating chamber 26 encloses and positions a reciprocal plunger 27, one end of which extends into the main body of the automatic valve l1 and the other of which extends through the actuating chamber 26 and into a diaphragm chamber 28 formed thereon. A diaphragm 29 is secured to the plunger 27 and positioned across the diaphragm chamber 28. A pressure line 36 communicates with the diaphragm chamber 28 and extends outwardly with respect thereto, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, and is provided with a pressure gauge 31, a pressure switch 32 and a normally closed filling orice 33.

The pressure line 30 communicates with a volume tank 34 and the volume tank 34 and pressure line 36 are adapted to be filled with a non-freezing liquid. A fitting 35 on the pressure line 3i) communicates with pressure tubing 36 which in turn is arranged in the manner of the distributing piping i3 heretofore referred to and includes extensions 37 establishing communication with each of the orifices 21 in the extensions 2@ of the sprinklers 14. Thus, pressure established in the pressure line 30, the volume tank 34, the pressure tubing 36 and its extensions 37 will be the same as the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 28 and such pressure may be relieved by the fusing of one of the sprinklers and the opening of the cap 22 with respect to the orice 21 thereof.

Still referring to Figure l of the drawings it will be observed that the fitting 35 on the pressure line 3d has an additional section of pressure tubing 3S which extends to the supply main 1t) by way of a check valve 29, a restricted orice 4@ and a control valve 41. Thus, pressure in the pressure line 30, etc., may be supplied from the supply main 16, if desired, or pressure from the supply main 1G may be used to maintain operating pressure in the pressure line 30, etc. Additionally, the pressure tubing 36 has a branch 42 which communicates with a pump 43 by way of a check valve 44, the pump 43 communicating with a funnel 45 by way of a check valve 46. Pressure in excess of that in the supply main 1t) may be built up in the pressure line 30, etc., by the actuation of the pump 43. lt is thus possible to establish and maintain uid pressure in the pressure line 3i?, etc., which is the means controlling the position of the plunger 27 heretofore referred to which in turn acts to hold the automatic valve 11 closed.

By referring again to Figure 3 of the drawings the automatic valve 11 will be seen to include means forming a valve seat 47 and a clapper 48 having an offset hinge arm 49 pivoted-to the automatic valve body 11 by a pivot pin 511. The clapper 48 has a plurality of arcuate webs 51 thereon forming a dome-shaped pattern, the apex 52 of which comprises a seat against which a pointed'inner end of the plunger 27 registers when the clapper 48 is in closed position on the valve seat 47.

Still referring to Figure 3 of the drawings it will be observed that the plunger 27 extends through a gland 53 formed in a partition-like member 54 which is secured to the valve body 11 along with the actuating chamber 26 heretofore referred to. The latter includes a transverse wall 55 with a central orilice therein through which the plunger 27 extends and which, in conjunction with a boss 56 on the diaphragm 29, locates a coil spring 57. The spring 57 normally urges the plunger 27 and the diaphragm 29 to the left, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, or away from the clapper 48. Fluid pressure from the pressure line 30 normally present in the diaphragm chamber 28 overcomes the tension of the coil spring 57 and normally holds the plunger 27k against the seat 52 on the clapper 48. An air vent 58 is formed on the upper portion of the diaphragm chamber 28 so that air which would otherwise be entrapped therein may be vented therefrom.

By referring again to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be observed that a valve 59 is positioned on the pressure tubing 36 and acts to bleed the same of air and may alternately be used as a manual control for tripping the sprinkler system herein disclosed. A similar tripping valve is provided on the pressure tubing 38 and is indicated by the numeral 60. The automatic valve 11 is provided with a hand hole cover 61 as customary in the art and a drain line 62 incorporating a velocity check valve 63 as is also customary in the art. The inlet portion of the automatic valve 11 is also provided with a drain line as indicated by the numeral 64 which is controlled by a Valve 65.

It will thus be seen that the sprinkler system disclosed and hereinbefore described has water pressure from the supply main in communication with the automatic valve where it is controlled by the clapper 48. The dis- Y tributing piping 13 is empty and is therefore capable of standing freezing temperatures without damage.

The pressure line 38, volume tank 34 and pressure tubing 36 and extensions 37 thereof are normally filled with an anti-freeze solution which is initially positioned in the system through the normally closed filling orifice 33 and secondarily through the pump 43m order to build up desirable pressure therein.

The fusing of a sprinkler in the lire zone supervised by the automatic sprinkler system results in the opening of one of the sprinklers 14 and specifically the release of the levers 17 and the opening of the cap 16 which simultaneously opens the orifice 21 in the extension 20 thereof which vents pressure from the pressure line 30 by way` of the pressure tubing 36 and the extension 37 concerned. Lowering of the pressure in the pressure line 30 which communicates with the diaphragm chamber 28 permits the coil spring 57 to move the plunger 27 away from the clapper 48 which will then swing downwardly into.

the lower portion of the automatic valve 11, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, where it will be incapable of reclosing accidentally and water from the supply main 10 enters the distributing piping 13 and is discharged through the fused sprinkler 14.

In order to reset the sprinkler system, the main valve 12 is closed shutting o the water supply, the hand hole cover 61 is removed and the sprinkler 14 replaced and the extension 37 of the pressure tubing connected thereto. Pressure is then built up in the pressure line 30, etc., which will tend to move the plunger 27 against the clapper which is manually closed prior thereto. As soon as of the operation of the valve may be had by rst closingV suitable pressure is established in the system, the hand hole cover is replaced, the main control valve 12 is reopened and the system is again in condition for automatic operation.

It will occur to those skilled in the art that the automatic valve 11 may be tested without directing water into the distributing piping by closing the main valve 12 and venting pressure from the actuating pressure line 30, etc., by either of the valves 59 or 60 and the opening operation of the automatic Valve 11 observed through the orifice normally closed by the hand hole cover 61. In order to accomplish such a test, it is desirable to close the valve 41 on the pressure tubing 38.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the system disclosed herein may be alternately formed as an air pressure actuated system such as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings and that either 0f the systems shown in Figure l wherein liquid is used as the actuating means or in Figure 2 vwherein air or gas pressure is used as the actuating means may be modiiied to include supervisory air or gas pressure in the distributing piping if desired.

By` referring to Figure 2 of the drawings a modified form of sprinkler system is disclosed, a main supply line being indicated by the numeral which is in communication with an automatic valve 71 by way of a main control valve 72. Distributing piping 73 extends from the i automatic valve 71 to a re zone and is provided with a plurality of automatic sprinklers 74. Each of the automatic sprinklers 74 is the same as that heretofore described in connection with Figure l of the drawings and includes a principal water discharge orifice normally closed by a cap 75 held by levers 76 which in turn position and hold a secondary cap 77 on a passageway in an ex-V tension 78 of the sprinkler 74. The automatic valve 71 is similar in all respects to the valve 11 heretofore described in connection with Figure 3 and includes a diaphragm case 79 as its actuating means.

A pressure line 80 communicates with the diaphragm case 79 and air or gas pressure in the pressure line 80 normally holds the valve 71 in closed position in the same manner as the valve 11 heretofore described.` The air or gas pressure is supplied to the pressure line 80 by a cylinder 81 of compressed gas which communicates with the pressure line 80 through a pressure regulator 82. The pressure line 80 includes a pressure switch 83 and gauge 84 so that desirable pressure may be maintained in the pressure line 80 and pressure tubing extension 85 thereof which extends to the secondary valve structure including the cap 77 on the extension 78 of each of the sprinklers 74.

It will thus be seen that when pressure from the com pressed gas cylinder 81 is present in the pressure line 80 and the pressure tubing 85 and the diaphragm chamber 79, the automatic valve 71 will be retained in closed position.V At such time as one of the sprinklers 74 fuses, the cap 77 will open andrelease pressure from the pressure line 80 at a rate in excess of the supply from the compressed gas cylinder which will permit the automatic valve 71 to open, as heretofore described in connection with Figure 3 of the drawings.

For testing purposes, a manually operated valve 86 is provided on the pressure tubing system 85 and a visual test the' main valve 72 on Vthe su'pply line 70 and then releasing pressure by way of the valve 86 to cause the operation of the automatic valve 71 without admitting water to the distributing piping 73.

In the systemillustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings as well as the system illustrated in Figure l, the normally closed sprinklers 74 may be eliminated and deluge sprinklers substituted. In Figure 2 of the drawings a deluge sprinkler with a normally open orice 87 is illustrated and the opening in the extension 78 of the sprinkler is closed with a fusible plug 88. Thus, heat in the re zone will fuse the plug 88, vent pressure from the pressure tubing line 85 and the pressure line 80 and open the automatic valve 71 whereupon water will enter the distributing piping 73 and be discharged into the deluge sprinklers 87.

It will thus be seen that a sprinkler system of novel construction and arrangement has been disclosed which combines the normal water controlling and discharging means with the actuating means for the automatic valve thereof and which provides an automatic valve of a novel design responsive in operation to the system disclosed. The valve and the system may be either liquid actuated as disclosed and described in connection with Figure 1 of the drawings or air pressure or gas pressure actuated as, for example, through the use of a cylinder of compressed nitrogen gas as disclosed in connection with Figure 2 of the drawings. Alternately, either form of system may be arranged for use with normally open deluge sprinklers rather than normally fusible sprinklers and, additionally, either system may, when used with normally closed sprinklers, be provided with supervisory air pressure in the distributing piping so that the automatic sprinkler system disclosed herein meets the several objects of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A main control valve comprising a housing having a horizontal side inlet and an outlet at its top, a valve seat about the inner end of the inlet, a horizontal sleeve removably mounted in alignment with an opening at the opposite side of the housing from the inlet and aligned with the inlet, a barrier mounted between said opening and the inner end of said sleeve and provided with a gland at its center, a clapper in said housing movable into and out of seated engagement with said valve seat and having an extension extending towards the opening when the clapper is in its closed position, a casing carried by the outer end of said sleeve, a diaphragm in said casing carrying a plunger at its center slidably passing through said sleeve and said barrier and terminating in position for abutting contact with the extension of said clapper, said casing having an outer Wall portion formed with an opening into which a pressure line is adapted to be mounted for delivering fluid under pressure into the casing t0 act upon the diaphragm and maintain the plunger in securing contact with the clapper and hold the clapper closed, and a spring urging the plunger and the diaphragm outwardly towards a clapper-releasing position.

2. In a fluid actuated valve a housing having an inlet through a side thereof and an outlet through its top, said housing having an oriiice through the opposite side thereof from the inlet disposed in alinement with the inlet, a valve seat about the inner end of said inlet, said inlet and said oriiice being spaced upwardly from the bottom of the housing, a clapper in said housing pivotally mounted below the inlet for vertical swinging movement from a lowered open position below the inlet upwardly to a closed position against the valve seat, said clapper having a stem extending horizontally towards said oriiice when the valve is closed, a sleeve extending horizontally from said housing about said orilce, a disc mounted between the orilice and the sleeve and constituting a solid partition between the orifice and the inner end of the sleeve, said partition having a center gland, a transverse wall in said sleeve having an opening alined with the gland, a casing closing the outer end of said sleeve having inner and outer sections defining a diaphragm-chamber, the inner section having a center opening alined with the opening through the transverse wall, a diaphragm in said chamber secured about its margins between the inner and outer sections, a boss carried by said diaphragm and slidably passing through the opening in the inner section and carrying a plunger slidably passing through the transverse wall and the gland and having abutting contact with the stem of said clapper to hold the clapper closed, and a spring about said plunger coniined between the transverse wall and said boss exerting outward pressure to shift the plunger outwardly and release the clapper for downward movement thereof to an opened position, the outer section being provided with an opening to receive a tube for delivering fluid under pressure into the chamber to act upon the diaphragm and shift the plunger into position to releasably secure the clapper closed.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,044,313 Lowe June 16, 1936 

